VLOGS

When the Fence is in the Way and the Apprentice Doesn’t Know It’s a Septic Tank

This one’s a little messier than most — in every sense.
Rich was called out to follow up on an emergency job where one of our Plumbpups had been sent to assess a blocked drain sewerage issue at a commercial site.

He meant well… but quoted to bring the van and jetter around the back — completely unaware there was a giant fence in the way, and that access would involve a 5–10 minute walk around the block.

💬 “Blockages usually take a dozen trips to the van and back — this would’ve been a nightmare.”

Needless to say — Rich wasn’t particularly impressed. 😂

🔎 Step 1: Quick Site Assessment

Rich arrives and starts piecing it together:

• Above-ground pipework visible — traces what’s feeding what
• Spots a rock that seems a little out of place… sure enough, it’s covering the septic tank access lid
• Lifts the lid and sees what no one wants to see:

Backed-up sewerage in the inspection square

🪠 Step 2: Improvised Fix

Without the jetter (thanks, fence), Rich grabs a length of spare waste pipe lying nearby and gives the system a few plunges.

• The blockage clears — likely wet wipes (and a few mystery items)
• Classic moment of the day:

“Oh, there’s your lunch — a little bit of sweet corn!” 🌽

🚽 Step 3: Test & Recommendation

To finish off:

• Rich flushes the customer’s toilet to confirm the flow
• Water passes through cleanly — job temporarily sorted
• Recommends a jetter clean-out in the near future to ensure the system stays clear

💬 “Not ideal, but we made it work. And we’ll come back with the right gear to finish the job properly.”

🚨 Jungle Retreat Rocked by Midnight Gas Explosion

There were no alarms.

No sirens.

Just chaos and confusion in the dark.

⚠️ Gas Safety: Not Just Compliance — It’s Critical

• Annual gas inspections are essential
• Leaking LPG cylinders or fittings should never be ignored
• Professional maintenance by licensed gas fitters can prevent disasters

💡 Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

✅ Gas Safety Checks by Perth’s Real Plumbers

• Complete gas appliance testing
• Leak detection and repairs
• Gas compliance reports
• Safety upgrades and advice

🐶 “Can You Move Your Van?” — The Tradie Question That Haunts Us All 🚐🤣

Richard’s Rant from the Driver’s Seat… Literally.

Let’s set the scene.

It’s 40 degrees. You’ve just rolled up to the customer’s property. You haven’t even popped the bonnet on your tool bag. You’re mid-sip of your servo coffee…

And they say:

“Umm, can you move your van? I need to get my car out.”

💥 Enter: The Worst Part of the Job™ (as declared by Richard).

🤦‍♂️ What You’ll See in This Vlog:

• Richard trying to reverse a VW Crafter (a.k.a. a yacht on wheels)
• A long, narrow driveway with zero forgiveness
• A slightly emotional rant — the kind only tradies truly understand
• And a message for all customers everywhere:

“Check the text message we sent you… we did warn you!”

📱 Yes, We Actually Warn You in Advance!

At Plumbdog, we try to make life easier:

• Every job gets an automated SMS on the way
• It includes your ETA and a friendly reminder:

“If you need access to your vehicle, please move it out of the driveway prior to arrival.”

It’s polite, professional, and totally ignored 73% of the time. 😅

🎥 Watch the Chaos Unfold

🚐 A Message to Our Fellow Tradies

We see you.
We feel your gearbox grinding.
We too have stood in a stranger’s driveway whispering, “Why… like this?”

Drop a comment if this has ever happened to you — or if you’ve ever rage-Googled “how to reverse a van without breaking your soul.”

🐾 Plumbdog — Perth’s real plumbers, real vans, and real bruised egos from reversing in driveways.

It’s not uncommon for us to receive a call shortly after a hot water system installation — especially when a customer notices water around the unit. At Plumbdog, we always take those calls seriously and act quickly to investigate.

In this case, James returned to a Perth home where our team had recently installed a heat pump hot water system. The customer had reported:

• Concerns that the system may not have been installed level
• Water pooling around the base of the unit

🔧 Step 1: Inspecting the Hot Water System Installation

The heat pump system was originally quoted by James and installed by Chris, one of our Plumbdog pups, under supervision. On reinspection, James found that:

• The unit was firmly secured and correctly positioned
• It was level and neatly installed
• The installation followed all manufacturer and plumbing code requirements

💬 “It’s important to check the install with fresh eyes — and it’s just as important to reassure the customer when everything looks spot on.”

💧 Step 2: Investigating the Source of the Water

Next, James turned his attention to the reported leak. What initially looked like water escaping from the system turned out to be:

• A below-ground leak from a deteriorated copper pipe
• Located just beside the hot water system, inside the customer’s reticulation box

These types of leaks are often mistaken for an issue with a newly installed system — especially when they show up in the same area.

📞 Communicating with the Customer

James made every effort to explain the findings to the customer, including:

• The difference between the system’s installation and the unrelated underground leak
• Offering a quote for a proper repair of the copper pipe
• Providing clarity around how these things can happen, especially in older homes or with ageing plumbing

While the customer chose not to proceed with the repair through us, our approach stayed the same: assess thoroughly, explain clearly, and offer a solution.

🧠 What You Can Learn from This Job

• Not all water around your system means a faulty install — it could be an existing issue nearby
• Heat pump systems are highly efficient and reliable when installed correctly
• Professional inspections include checking all surrounding plumbing, not just the unit
• Customer presence during install can be helpful, but clear post-install communication is just as important

📺 Watch the Video

Join James on site as he walks through the system check, investigates the nearby leak, and explains the entire situation clearly and professionally:

🐾 Need Help With a Hot Water System or Suspected Leak?

Whether it’s a new install, a leaking pipe, or just something that doesn’t feel quite right — we’re here to help.

📞 Call Perth’s real plumbers with all the gear and every idea.
🐶 No callout fee | ✅ Upfront pricing | 🔎 Leak Detection Experts | 🔥 Heat Pump Installers